Editor’s Note
Christie’s has announced the appointment of Rahul Kadakia as President of Asia Pacific, effective January 2026. He will be based in Hong Kong.
Christie’s CEO Bonnie Brennan announced today (2nd) the appointment of Rahul Kadakia as President of Asia Pacific. He will be based in Hong Kong and officially assume the role in January 2026.
Readers are likely familiar with him, as he is not only the current International Head of Jewelry but also an outstanding star auctioneer. For years, he has presided over major auction venues in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Geneva, hammering down countless record-breaking sales.
Rahul Kadakia was born into a jewelry family in Mumbai. After graduating from the College of Commerce and Economics, he helped with the family jewelry business, learning the ropes of the luxury trade, which led to his connection with Christie’s.
When Eric Valdieu, then head of Christie’s Geneva Jewelry Department, visited India to meet local collectors and industry figures, Kadakia was responsible for hosting him in Mumbai. The young man’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and curiosity left a deep impression on Valdieu.
Later, while studying at the GIA in California, Christie’s visited the campus to recruit talent. Out of over 300 applicants, Christie’s hired only three. With Valdieu’s recommendation, Kadakia successfully joined Christie’s London Jewelry Department in 1996.
After about a year in London, Kadakia moved to Geneva to plan the biannual Magnificent Jewels auctions. In 2004, he became Head of Jewelry for the Americas, based in New York, and was promoted to International Head of Jewelry in 2014, a position he held until his new appointment as Asia Pacific President.
Kadakia’s career path closely mirrors that of Christie’s legend Francois Curiel. In an interview years ago, Kadakia revealed their connection.
It was Curiel himself who represented Christie’s at GIA for recruitment. After joining, Kadakia learned auctioneering from Curiel. During lunches, Kadakia would practice by trying to “sell” every item of food to Curiel. When successful, Curiel would say, “Well done, you’ve sold me this box of salad.”
After completing his training, Kadakia borrowed a small wooden gavel from his mentor. He has used it for over two decades across auction houses worldwide to hammer down countless lots in jewelry, watches, and modern & contemporary art. Curiel never asked for it back, clearly proud of his protégé.
Over more than twenty years, Kadakia has achieved numerous record-breaking sales. The New York Times once described him as “an auctioneer who can sell almost anything for a record price.”
He first broke a world record in 2007, selling The Baroda Pearls for US$7.1 million. In 2016, he sold the 14.62-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” diamond in Geneva for CHF 56.83 million, setting a record for a blue diamond. In 2019, the “Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence” sale realized over US$109 million, becoming the second most valuable jewelry collection ever sold at auction.
The most valuable jewelry collection at auction—the Elizabeth Taylor sale in New York in 2011, which fetched US$116 million—was primarily orchestrated by Francois Curiel, with Kadakia serving as one of the auctioneers.
Under Kadakia’s leadership, Christie’s jewelry business has flourished. For example, the June New York auction saw 138 lots achieve 100% sold, a “white glove” sale totaling approximately US$87.7 million, setting a record for Christie’s Americas “A Jewellery Collection” sale. The May Hong Kong jewelry auction also realized HK$376 million, leading the Asian market.
Kadakia will officially assume his role in January 2026. In addition to being President of Asia Pacific, he will also lead the Global Luxury Department and the Asian & World Art Department.
— Bonnie Brennan, CEO of Christie’s
— Rahul Kadakia